On 4th December,
Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) surprisingly saw large number of fishing
trawlers sailing into the port seeking shelter from the fury of ‘OCKHI”.
With the onset of cruise tourism season, Mormugao Port, these days remains all
decked up to host large groups of high end tourists from all over world who
visit Goa on large luxury cruise ships. However, the winds of change, literally
speaking, brought about a large contingent of guests of different kind to the
port, says a release. Over 300 fishing boats and trawlers carrying
nearly three thousand fisher-folks from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
Maharashtra and Gujarat are currently taking shelter in the safe haven of
Mormugao Port.

Not to be found wanting in
the hour of crisis, Mormugao Port has risen to the occasion voluntarily and
provided refuge to the fishing vessels inside the Vasco Bay. The Mormugao Port
Trust administration under the direct supervision of the Chairman Shri I.
Jeyakumar, IRTS, has taken emergency measures to help the victims of the
cyclone, as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. The Port
administration has also appealed to the Corporate Houses of Vedanta Group and
the Jindal South West Port Ltd., to associate with the Port in reaching
out to help the victims of the ‘Ochki’ cyclone in the hour of need
to provide relief and assistance.

An
Emergency Task Force of senior port executives are camping at the site and
rendering all possible help to the fisherman. Arrangements have been made to
provide clean drinking water, food, refreshments, medicines, all other
essential commodities that may be required to overcome the hardship caused to
the fisherman. Besides the Port Emergency Task Force, a para-medical
team headed by two Medical Officers of the MPT Hospital is also present at the
site rendering all medical assistance and medicines to the affected
fishermen. A Port
ambulance is on standby to render help in any medical emergency. So far 40
fishermen have been given treatment for minor ailments. The Harbour Master of
the Port is providing regular weather updates and it is expected that some of
the fishing vessels would sail out
by tomorrow evening. The Chairman Shri Jeyakumar is
personally monitoring the relief operations along with his team of officials
and is taking all steps possible to bring comfort to the stranded fisherman, to
the extent possible.